Dix wrote:This is probably controversial but I think this kind of situation is where the WWE works best. With their backs to the wall and no other option to make new stars. Cena, Orton, Rollins, Bryan, Rusev are all out, but with the talent they have on the roster this seems like the best time possible to elevate everybody else. I'm not happy that Rollins was injured or anything, but what this sets up for everything else does excite me a little.

Saying that I probably shouldn't get excited. Especially with regards to the WWE. Rarely lives up to the hype I build for it in my head.

We've been here before though, remember. When Bryan got injured we had a Money in the Bank match to crown a new champion. With brilliant up and coming talents in Reigns, Wyatt and Cesaro, they gave the belt to... Cena. WWE's repeated response to scenarios like this is to revert to type.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love somebody new to be given the belt, I just don't see it happening...

This sucks as a whole, but it does add a huge level of intrigue to the Survivor Series at least. Hoping WWE bring back the Deadly Games theme for it!

Basically, I can see it going one of three ways, which I have ranked in order of preference:

1) Roman Reigns wins the tournament, either Rock style in 1998 (turning heel, new corporate authority champ) or in conquering hero fashion. Either way, he's new, a great wrestler, and I feel like he's proved himself to the fans since the "sufferin' succotash" nonsense.

2) Sheamus uses MITB briefcase and wins the title. If not, then when is he going to use it? He's basically just holding it for not reason, no-one wants or sees him as a champion in waiting. If he doesn't use it now, he may as well be a failed cash-in I reckon (which wouldn't bother me, he bores me to tears).

3) Vince McMahon calls up Cena and begs him to return from his self-imposed exile to save his company from injuries and falling ratings. I hate this notion, because I'd Cena nuff a decade ago, never mind now. Also, the only reason WWE are seemingly "in crisis" is because they failed to make new stars to replace those that've gone, and putting the strap back on Cena/Orton/Triple H would meant they've learned nothing from this.

Highlight wrote:2) Sheamus uses MITB briefcase and wins the title. If not, then when is he going to use it? He's basically just holding it for not reason, no-one wants or sees him as a champion in waiting. If he doesn't use it now, he may as well be a failed cash-in I reckon (which wouldn't bother me, he bores me to tears).

There were rumours he'd be cashing in around the release of the new TMNT film since he's scheduled to be in it.

Havent really been following wrestling for the past couple of months sace for the occasional podcast here and there but couldn't Vince or trips just pay Brock for a couple more dates this year let him regain the belt after Taker screwed him out of a sure win and then let him drop it to Roman at Rumble so he can run with it while Rollins recovers and then wrap up their storyline at Mania thus killing 2 birds with one stone

Rooney should've just hit him as hard as he could, or else at least wound up the punch in a theatrical fashion. Still, it served it's purpose - McMahon must be thrilled, as he loves positive legit media attention.

Highlight wrote:Rooney should've just hit him as hard as he could, or else at least wound up the punch in a theatrical fashion. Still, it served it's purpose - McMahon must be thrilled, as he loves positive legit media attention.

Indeed, they somehow got Rooney to do interviews for them too. He went on ESPN SportsCenter and mostly spoke of WWE love.

Just got back from the house show in Nottingham, was expecting Barrett to get cheered to the rafters, how wrong I was! He had the most heat on the show - could hardly hear him talk over the crowd, it was spectacular!

- When I first arrived at the Capital arena, I popped to the café and had a quick drink. On all the tables there were flyers advertising Hulk Hogan's speaking tour in Sheffield. Well, word must've gotten out quick, because within minutes someone from the WWE's response team (that's what it said on their jacket) swept round all the tables and removed the flyers post-haste. Guess WWE doesn't want anything Hogan-related even in the same arena.

- House was full, LOADS of kids with Cena merch. Whilst he may be as stale as year-old bread, I can totally understand why WWE keep him around - they must make an utter killing from him. I don't just mean t-shirts either, they all had caps, sweatbands, even that little towel thing. I saw quite a lot of Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose stuff too, everyone else was sort of take your pick.

- Opening match was Neville vs Stardust. Crowd was hot to start, partly because they were eager to see the action, and partly because Neville was the British hero. He got cheered very loud, Stardust was great mocking the crowd and generally being wacky (I loves ya, Cody!). Neville won with the Red Arrow to great acclaim.

- Two odd things about the show. Firstly, although the crowd was loud, it didn't feel like there was much genuine emotion in the place. This may have been because there were lots of children there, or partly because nobody was really mega over (with a couple of exceptions) but it kind of felt like a pantomime more than a fight. In fact, a bit like a panto, the audience cheered, booed and clapped along where they were expected to, but were mostly quiet and respectful during the actual action. Attitude era crowds this wasn't.

- The other odd thing was how they presented The Authority as major faces. Triple H started the show with his DX "Are you ready?" schtick, the main event was made a no-holds barred match as a "present" from The Authority (with a "I guess The Authority isn't so bad, huh?" from the announcer), and they kept playing up Hunter and Steph's charity work. So either a face turn is imminent, or this is major mixed signals.

- The only people who were truly over were Neville, Wade Barrett and Roman Reigns. Barrett especially was booed beyond belief, I could hardly hear him making fun of Nottingham Forest it was so loud! Reigns did get mega cheers when he came out too, no mixed reaction here whatsoever. The matches themselves weren't stellar, all between 2 and 3 stars, but they were given lots of time and everyone played their roles well. Ryback was really good at getting the crowd to chant stuff, he and the Usos probably had the best match of the night against the Wyatt Family, which only fell flat because it ended with a sodding bearhug in 2015! Only person who looked like they couldn't give two eton mess was Del Rio, who may as well have sleepwalked through his match bar the last two spots (he didn't even break up counts when his bloody title was on the line!)

- Overall, I had a good time at this show. If you are willing to get into it, clap and cheer along, and basically not take it too seriously, you'll enjoy yourself. Any kids you can bring along will love it!

Why do they constantly treat Survivors like it's a C-list PPV? It has a cool premise and everything. Replaceable shows like Hell in a Cell get more of a build
'Big 4 shows of the year' my left asscheek

Because all they care about is the "road to wrestle mania" nowadays with little thought to any other ppv really. Also it annoys me that Wyatt chose himself and Braun strongbow as the participants rather than all 4 members against taker and Kane sure Rowan and Harper will interfere in the match but it seems a bit silly to just have them stand around for most of the match presumably

Rawrgna wrote:Because all they care about is the "road to wrestle mania" nowadays with little thought to any other ppv really.

You're right. From SummerSlam to the Rumble is almost always a dry spell, they save all the hype stuff for Mania season

Rawrgna wrote:Also it annoys me that Wyatt chose himself and Braun strongbow as the participants rather than all 4 members against taker and Kane sure Rowan and Harper will interfere in the match but it seems a bit silly to just have them stand around for most of the match presumably

It's absolutely stupid that it's only Bray and Braun Snowman, especially when the BoD smashed all four of them on Raw
Why would having half your faction be good when all of you got destroyed at once already

Undertaker & Kane vs Wyatts is a two-on-two tag match, which is built up by having the Brothers of Destruction destroy all four members thoroughly. Pay to see if the Wyatt's can win after cutting their forces in half!

The final segment on the go-home Raw is dedicated to the Paige/Charlotte build-up, bringing Charlotte's legitimately deceased brother into the feud. This goes over so well WWE release a statement on their website saying it was all Charlotte's idea, to try and save face.

The world title tournament actually does have some intriguing scenarios, but I bet my bottom dollar that it ends with Reigns winning to boos, and Ambrose (the guy they actually want to cheer) going heel.

Breeze vs Ziggler has had one week of build, and feels like a Superstars match rather than a PPV one. Also, is Ziggler face or heel here? Who knows? Who cares? Give us your money to find out!

And finally, a Survivor Series match with no build, nothing at stake, and with NO announced participants! Are you excited? Well?

I mean, sweet gooseberry fool hell this is LOLTNA worthy. I want a great PPV, I really do, and I'm not a WWE hater.... I just went to a house show a week ago for crying out loud. But in spite of a sudden injury, there's no excuse for this, it's utterly abysmal build.

Yeah terrible PPV. I know we couldn't have Taker lose at his 25th anniversary but did the Wyatt's hace to look like complete jobbers for the match? Only highlight was Owens being the complete heelish dick against Ambrose with his chinlock city rest spot calling. Also at least we know who's winning Royal Rumble 2016 >__>